Wall construction computer device



May 4, 1965 R. w. BURNS WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPUTER DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 3, 1962 INVENTOR.

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R. W. BURNS WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPUTER DEVICE May 4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 3, 1962 I N VE'N TOR. 205597 In BUR/v;

May 4, 1965 R. w. BURNS WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPUTER DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 5, 1962 INVENTOR. ROBERT M BUR/14S IN V EN TOR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IFUZMI R. W. BURNS WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPUTER DEVICE May 4, 1965 Filed Oct. 5, 1962 P051597- IV- 5016145 BY nor/V5.95 M% #00114 6. 76010.29 #770 United States Patent 3,181,787 WALL CONSTRUCTKGN COMPUTER DEVICE Robert W. Burns, 918 59th St., Des Meines, Iowa Filed Oct. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 228,136 Claims. {CL 235-78) Some builders of wooden frame structures have endeavored to improve construction efiiciency and to reduce construction costs by creating a Wall from prefabricated panels composed of pre-cut structural members. While enjoying some success in mass produced buildings of identical or similar design, this system does not readily accomplish its intended result when applied to a custom designed house, for example, because each panel is diiferent and must be separately designed, cut, and fabricated.

Therefore, the principal object of my invention is to provide a wall construction computer device that will permit a cutting list and construction guide to be quickly and easily created from any given plan.

A further object of my invention is to provide a wail construction computer device that will indicate if vertical structural members will over-lap or otherwise interfere with each other when positioned in accordance with the requirements of a given floor plan.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wall construction computer device that will locate the side members of a given door or window opening on a plan where said openings are located only with respect to their center lines.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wall construction computer device that will permit the accumulated widths of the designed panels to be added to verify the panel design against the over all length of the wall as shown on the floor plan being used.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wall construction computer device that will permit the creation of additional template pieces to locate the structural members adjacent window and door openings when openings are encountered that are not already shown on my device.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wall construction computer device that is economical of manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrange ments, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of my device in one of its operative positions;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of my device in a second operative position in the computation cycle;

FIG. 3 is a partial transverse sectional view of my device, illustrating its component parts;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a series of erected panels taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a series of three erected panels. The endmost panels have been shaded to dis tinguish their component parts from the center panel;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the vertical structural members shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a complete plan View of the structure that is shown in part in FIGS. 4 and 5;

ating positions when the lengths of panels are being added;

PEG. 11 is a plan view of my device similar to that of FIG. but which shows a sequential step in the adding process; and

FIG. 12 is a chart that can be used in conjunction with my device for creating a cutting and construction list.

I have used the numeral 10 to designate a base plate of Wood or the like which preferably is rectangular in shape. A second plate 12 of any suitable rigid material is held to plate 10 by screws 14. Plates 1t and 12 should both assume the same rectangular shape. A circular portion has been removed from the center of plate 12 and a circular plate 16 is rotatably inserted within the center of plate 12. Plate 16 has a thickness greater than plate 12 although a recess 18 on its outer periphery reduces the level of the plate 16 therein to a point below the upper surface of plate 12. A circular layer of felt 20 in recess 18 increases the effective height or" plate 16 at that point to the same height as plate 12. Felt 20 is secured Within recess 18 by a suitable adhesive.

A circular scale 22 with an open center is secured by adhesive or the like to the inner periphery of plate 12. Scale 22 extends inwardly over felt 2t), and the upper surface of the scale is substantially at the same elevation as the upper surface of plate 16. A circular scale 24 is ri idly secured by adhesive to the center of plate 16 and both plate 16 and scale 24 are adapted to rotate about post 25 which is located on what would be the geometric center of scale 22, scale 24 and plate 16. The felt 2t) creates a slight binding action between plate 16 and scale 22 so that once the plate 16 and scale 24 are positioned with respect to scale 22, the scale 24 will yieldingly resist inadvertent movement. Scales 22 and 24 are of a metallic material which is preferably capable of being magnetized. A plurality of indicia marks in the form of straight lines radiate outwardly from post 25 and are extended across the outer periphery of scale 24 onto the exposed outer periphery of scale 22 so that there is present on scale 22 a corresponding extension of each indicia line on scale 24. The peripheries of each scale are divided into ten increments, with each increment representing one foot of rectilinear distance. These incre ments are labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 on each of the scales 22 and 24. An inwardly extending extension of the indicia marks appears on scale 24 wherein the above described ten increments are labeled in reverse order. Each foot increment is divided into twelve inch increments representing one inch of rectilinear distance. Indicia marks further divide the inch increments into 4 inch increments. The one inch increments preferably should be divided into inch increments which would permit easy inter polation thereof to the nearest inch. I shall de scribe the operation of the scales 22 and 24 as if they could be accurately interpolated to the nearest inch. A transparent pointer 26 with a straight edge 28 emanating from the center of post 25 is rotatably detachably secured to the post 25. Pointer 26 extends over the indicia marks and numerals on scales 22 and 24 to facilitate the reading of the scales as they are moved to different relative positions.

A contractor is usually confronted with a plan of the general character shown in FIG. 7. This plan usually will show the over all length and width of the structure, along with the positions of the centerlines of door and window openings. Wall partitions are also normally located as are the size requirements for the windows and doors. The contractors problem is then to design the wall panels that will tit the plan, and to create a schedule whereby the parts in the panels can be cut and fabricated. The plan shown in FIG. 7 shows a front wall 30 includenema? ing a window opening 32 and a door opening 34. A description of the manner in which the wall panels for the portion of wall 3% involving these door and window openings will follow and will be typical for all the remaining panels.

Beginning with the left end of wall 30 as viewed in FIG. 7, a convenient length would be adopted for the first panel A to partially span the distance from the corner of the building to the window opening. Panel A is shown in elevation in FIG. and is cross-hatched to distinguish it from the next panel. In the normal frame constructed building, there will be present at least four types of vertical frame members which are shown in cross section in FIG. 6. Member A is a conventional 2 x 4" stud and is used intermediate the specially constructed frame members. Member B is comprised of two 2 x 4 studs and is normally used on the sides of door and window openings. Member C is comprised of three 2 x 4 studs and is used as a corner post. Member D is comprised of three 2 x 4 studs and is used as a mailer for interior partitions that intersect the outside wall. In constructing the wall panels, it is necessary to determine the locations of the centers of these members A, B, C and D.

With reference to the chart in FIG. 12, the symbol A can be placed in the first space under Panel No.

to identify the first panel being designed. A length of 26 can be arbitrarily selected for the horizontal length of the panel and this figure can be placed opposite panel 7 A in the length column. The next two columns desigmate the points of beginning and ending for this first panel and these two respective points are obviously 0 and 2-6". The first vertical member in panel A is to be a corner post C which has an over all width of 4 which makes the center thereof 2 from the end of the panel. Thus, the symbol C is placed in the next space on the chart in FIG. 12 and the centerline location 2 of the member C is placed adjacent thereto. The next vertical member in panel A is to be a single stud A and it can be arbitrarily located 16 or 1-4 from the left end of the panel. The notation Al4 is placed in the next space on the chart to designate this next member and centerline location thereof. As shown in FIG. 5, another member A has its centerline located on the end of the panel A and an appropriate notation A2'6 is made on the chart. Thus, the carpenter using the first line of the chart will know the top and bottom horizontal members 36 of panel A are 26 long; that a corner post C is centered at 2 and that studs A are centered at .1-4 and 26". Panel A can then be quickly cut and constructed. It should be noted that if a different colored pencil was used for each memher A, B, C and D, these symbols could be eliminated from the chart and only the dimensions in colored pencil could appear.

The plan in FIGS. 4 and 7 indicates that a window of given dimension is centered 8()" from the corner of :the building. This means that the second panel B must ing designed. Thus, the panel B will begin 2'6" from the corner of the building, so the zero or beginning point of panel B on scale 22 is placed adjacent the 26 mark on the scale 24. This is accomplished by rotating the scale 24 with respect to the stationary scale 22, and this position is shown in FIG. 1. A circular template 38 with a center opening complementary in size to the outer perimeter of scale 22 is detachably mounted on plate 12 around scale 22. Template 38 should be of paper or the like where pencil markings can be readily made thereon. A centerline indicia mark 445 is made on template 38 and is comprised of a straight line radiating from the center of post 25. Centerline 49 represents the center of door and window openings to be used in the panels. From the plan in FIG. 7 or the specifications supplied therewith, the width of the door and window openings can be determined. An arcuate template 42 having arcuate portions 44 in engagement with the outer periphery of scale 22 can be used in creating template 38. This template is detachably mounted on template 38, as shown in FIG. 8. Template 42 has a centerline 46 which represents the centerline of the vertical member adjacent the door or window opening. A recessed portion 48 exposes to view a portion of template 38 adjacent scale 22. The indicia marks 5'!) and 52 on template 42 indicate'the width of a double stud member B which is normally located at the sides of door and window openings. The steps in creating template 38 can be varied, but, for example, since the centerline of window opening 32 is 80 from the corner of the building, the centerline 4t? on template 38 can be aligned with the 80 mark on template 24 as shown in FIG. 1. Then, half the known width of the window opening can be charted along the periphery of scale 22, and the indicia mark 59 on template 42 can be aligned with the point where the window opening terminates. The centerline as of template 42 then will designate the precise position of the centerline of the member B adjacent the window opening. A mark 46A is then made on template 3? within recess 48 and this mark can be extended radially outwardly after template 42 is removed. Thus, the mark 46A on template 38 will represent the position of the centerline of member B adjacent one side of the window opening. Other indicia marks 54 and 56 can be used on template 42 in the event other members, such as D, are used adjacent the window or door openings. The above process can be repeated for the other side of the window opening wherein mark 463 on template 38 will represent the position of the centerline of the member B on the other side of the window opening. The marks 58 and 60 on template 38 represent a similar designation of members B adjacent the door opening 34. Obviously, template 38 could be marked for such inforiation in regard to many different window and door openings, and other templates 38 could he used and readily substituted if they had information on an opening which was not included on the specific template 38 then being used.

, far side of the window opening (mark 46B) falls somewhere over lO'-O beyond the point of beginning of panel B. To accommodate satisfactory studding spacing, 'a

length of 10ll" can be selected for panel B and the upper and lower members 62 will have this length. Thus,

opposite to the symbol B on the chart in FIG. 12 will be the length of the panel B (l0ll) and its points of beginning and ending, namely, 2-6 and 135 which is the sum of the total lengths of panels A and B. Since there was a stud A on the end of panel A, no stud will be required on the adjacent end of panel B. However, template 38 in FIG. 1 indicates that double stud B is centered at 01l% adjacent the window opening 32. Accordingly, an entry is made on the chart B0l 1 /8 to designate the member to be used and its position on the panel B. The window lintel, frame, and cripple members 6 66 and 68, respectively, are of standard dimensions and would ordinarily be entered on the chart. How- I ever, since my device is not used to design and locate g, shown in the drawings to be 160 from the corner or point 'of beginning of panel A. Similarly the centerline of interior partition 70 is either shown on the plan or is determinable from information thereon. It is apparent that the door opening 34 will fall within the third panel C, and since the partition 79 is adjacent the door opening, the nailer .memberD also would normally fall within this panel. The center of the door opening can be determined to be 16'-0" from the corner of the building and the center of the wall 70 is 18'3%" from the corner. Thus, a length of 6-8" will easily allow a third panel C to extend from the 135 point on the wall (the end of Panel B) to a point beyond the center of the partition. (Id-3%). Accordingly, the length of panel C is entered on the chart in FIG. 12 as being 6'8" long, with a beginning at 135 and an ending at 201. The 135 mark on scale 24 is aligned with the mark 'on scale 22 as shown in FIG. 2. The centerline 49 on template 38 is aligned with the 6 on scale 24- which represents the center line of the door opening at 16-0 from the end of the wall. The marks 58 and 60 on scale 38 indicate that two double studding members B are centered at 010 /s and 4'3%, respectively. Since a single stud member A was used on the end of panel B, none is needed at the beginning of panel C. Thus, the first vertical members in panel C are the double stud members B at the sides of door opening 34, and the above center locations of these members B are noted on the chart in FIG. 12 as B010 /s", and B4-3%, respectively.

As indicated above, the interior partition 70 is centered 183% from the end of wall 30 which will require member D to be positioned in panel C at that corresponding point. By observing scale 24 in FIG. 9, it is seen that the mark 18-3% on this scale is in alignment with 4-l0 /s on scale 22. Pointer 26 can be used to facilitate this reading, if necessary. Thus, the 4'1O /s reading on scale 24 will determine the location of member D on panel C. Since it was already determined that member B should be centered at 43%s on panel C, and since it was then determined that member D was to be centered at 4'-10%" on this panel, there is some possibility that the members C and D might overlap. To readily determine this matter, a flat template 72 having an arcuate edge 73 complementary to the perimeter of scale 24 can be placed adjacent the perimeter of this scale as shown in FIG. 9. The template has a centerline 74 and straight side edges that, if extended, would converge on the center of shaft 25. The Width of template 72 as measured on any are parallel to its arcuate edge 73 is the same as the rectilinear width of double stud member B, as measured on scales 22 and 24. A magnet 76 is secured to template 72 whereupon the template is readily held in any given position on the metallic scale 22. For the problem at hand, the

' centerline 74 of template 72 is aligned at 4'-3% on scale 22.

As shown in FIG. 9, template 78 is similar .to template 72 in that it has identical edges, a centerline 80 and a magnet 82. However, template 78 has an arcuate width asmeasured on scales 22 and 24 that corresponds to the rectilinear width of frame member D. Thus, when template 78 is centered on the position of partition wall 70 at 183%z on scale 24, or 1-10% on scale 22, these being identical positions; and when template 72 is centered on 4-3% on scale 22 which is the position of the second double stud member B in panel C, the two members B and D will fit on the panel in these positions if the adjacent ends of the two templates 72 and 78 do not overlap. As seen in FIG. 9, the templates 72 and 78 do not touch so the position of the member D is satisfactory and may be entered on the chart in FIG. 12 as D4lO /s. A single stud member A can be added to panel C at '4 and is accordingly entered on the chart as A! 5 4I!"7 A plurality of other panels can be designed by following the foregoing procedures wherein the scale 24 always represents the accumulated length of the wall, and the scale 22 represents the length or" the panel being designed. My device can also be used to verify that the accumulated lengths of the panels designed fit within the over all length of the building as required by the original plan. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, let it be assumed that the original plan showed the over all width of a building to be 'ZG-0". It panels of 2'8, l08" and 6'8 had been designed to accommodate the 20-() wall, the lengths of the individual panels could quickly be added to determine if the total thereof was 200". This could be accomplished by aligning the O on scale 24 with 2'-8 on scale 22, and then reading the mark on scale 22 opposite to 108" on scale 24. Finger 26 can assist in making this reading, which, as shown in FIG. 10, is l34". The 0 scale 24 is then set in alignment with 13-4 on scale 22 and a reading on scale 22 is then made opposite to 6-8 on scale 24. As shown in FIG. 11, this reading is 0 on scale 22 which is interpreted as 20-() since it involves two complete readings around the periphery of scale 24. This reading of 20-0" confirms that the three panels will accommodate a 200 wall as called for in the plan. Ail or" the indicia marks and numerals have not been shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 but it is understood that the devices in FIGS. 10 and 11 are identical in structure to those in F168. 1 and 2.

It should be noted that the second series of indicia marks and numerals appearing on scale 24 inwardly of those marks and numerals on the outer periphery thereof are merely extensions of these marks on the outer periphery of scale 24. The numerals on the inner marks are reversed with respect to the numerals on the outer periphery of scale 24 to permit the scale to be read either forwardly or rearwardly from any point on the wall being designed.

Thus, from the foregoing, it is seen that my device will accomplish at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my wall construction computer device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a wall construction computer device,

a base plate,

a disc rotatably secured by its center to said base plate,

said disc having a reduced thickness portion adjacent its periphery,

a layer of felt secured to said disc on said reduced thickness portion, said material possessing a high friction coefiicient, a support plate on said base plate outwardly of said disc, and having a circular center opening larger than the diameter of said disc,

a scale ring mounted on said support plate and overlapping said disc to engage said layer of material in said reduced thickness portion,

a scale disc on said disc and extending over the inner periphery of said scale ring,

a ring detachably mounted on said support plate around the periphery of said scale ring,

support means for rotating said disc and said scale disc with respect to said base plate, said layer of felt and said first scale ring.

and registering indicia marks on the peripheries of said scale ring and said scale disc.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein corresponding numerals are located adjacent indicia marks on said scale ring and said scale disc, with said numerals being in numerical order, and a second group of indicia marks on said scale disc which correspond to the indicia marks on the peripheries of said scale ring and said scale disc, and numerals on said second group of indicia marks in reverse numerical order, said numerals numbered from zero to nine inclusive.

3. In a wall construction computer device,

a base plate,

a scale ring permanently secured to said base plate,

a scale disc concentrically mounted on said plate and adapted for rotation about its center point on said plate,

the diameter of said scale ring being greater than that of said scale disc,

a plurality of straight indicia marks on the peripheries of said scale ring and said scale disc,

said indicia marks positioned on said scale ring and said scale disc whereby inwardly extensions thereof would converge on the geometric centers thereof,

each indicia mark on said scale ring being capable of simultaneously registering with the indicia marks on said scale disc,

a template movably mounted on said base plate, said template having an arcuate edge portion complementary in shape to the periphery of said scale ring and in engagement with the periphery thereof,

said template having at least three indicia marks adjacent said scale ring whereby inwardly extensions thereof would converge on the geometric center of 1 scale ring and said scale disc,

the outer indicia marks of said three indicia marks being symmetrically spaced with respect to the center indicia mark.

4. In a wall construction computer device,

a base plate,

a scale ring permanently secured to said base plate,

a scale disc concentrically mounted on said plate and adapted for rotation about its center point on said plate,

the diameter of said scale ring being greater than that of said scale disc, a plurality of straight indicia marks on the peripheries of said scale ring and said scale disc, 7

said indicia marks positioned on said scale ring and said scale disc whereby inwardly extensions thereof would converge on the geometric centers thereof, each indicia mark on said scale ring being capable of simultaneously registering with the indicia marks on said scale disc,

a disc ring mounted on said plate around the periphery of said first scale,

a template on said ring,

a centerline on said template directioned towards the geometric center oisaid scale ring and said scale disc,

indicia marks on said template directioned towards the geometric center of said scale ring and said scale disc,

a marking on at least one of said indicia marks to distinguish it from said other indicia marks on said template,

and an arithmetic progression of numerals being positioned adjacent said centerline and said indicia marks on said second template.

5. In a well construction computer device,

a base plate,

a scale ring permanently secured to said base plate,

a ring detachably mounted on said plate around the periphery of said scale ring,

a scaledisc concentrically mounted on said base plate and adapted for rotation about its center point on said plate,

the diameter of said scale ring being greater than that of said scale disc,

each of said foot increments being radially divided into twelve inch increments,

each of said inch increments being radially divided into eight one-eighth inch increments,

said scale disc being further divided into ten increments inwardly from its periphery,

said inner increments of said scale disc each representing one foot of rectilinear distance,

said inner increments of said scale disc being numbered from Zero to nine in a counter-clock-wise direction,

each of said inner foot increments of said scale disc being radially divided into twelve inch increments,

each of said inner inch increments being radially divided into eight one-eighth inch increments,

each of said increments being indicated by straight indicia marks,

said indicia marks positioned on said scale ring and said scale disc whereby inwardly extensions thereof would converge on the geometric centers thereof,

each indicia mark on said scale ring being capable of simultaneously registering with the indicia marks on said scale disc,

a plurality of first arcuate templates detachably resting on said scale ring and ,engaging a portion of the periphery of said scale disc,

asecond arcuate shaped template on said ring,

said second templates having an arcuate edge portion complementary in shape to the periphery of said scale ring and in engagement with the periphery thereof,

said second template having an elongated recess slot extending therethrough to partially expose said ring,

a center line on said second template directioned towards the geometric center of said scale ring and said scale disc,

indicia marks on said second template directioned towards the geometric center of said scale ring and said scale disc,

a marking on at least one of said indicia marks to distinguish it from said other indicia marks on said second template,

the side edges of said first template being in alignment with indicia marks on said scale ring adjacent to said edges, whereby the arcuate length of said templates can define a corresponding rectilinear length of a structural member as measured along the peripheries of said scale ring and scale disc,

and an elongated pointer rotatably secured to said plate and having at least one straight edge.

References (Zited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,555,575 9/25 Hogsten 23578 2,025,625 12/35 Tucker 23585 2,760,275 8/56 Stein 35-16 3,05 0,249 8/ 62 Awrarnik 23 578 3,051,383 8/62 Payne 235-84 65 LEYLAND M. MARTlN, Primary Examiner.

LEO SMILOW, Examiner. 

1. IN A WALL CONSTRUCTION COMPUTER DEVICE, A BASE PLATE, A DISC ROTATABLY SECURED BY ITS CENTER TO SAID BASE PLATE, SAID DISC HAVING A REDUCED THICKNESS PORTION ADJACENT ITS PERIPHERY, A LAYER OF FELT SECURED TO SAID DISC ON SAID REDUCED THICKNESS PORTION, SAID MATERIAL POSSESSING A HIGH FRICTION COEFFICIENT, A SUPPORT PLATE ON SAID BASE PLATE OUTWARDLY OF SAID DISC, AND HAVING A CIRCULAR CENTER OPENING LARGER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID DISC, A SCALE RING MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT PLATE AND OVERLAPPING SAID DISC TO ENGAGE SAID LAYER OF MATERIAL IN SAID REDUCED THICKNESS PORTION, A SCALE DISC ON SAID DISC AND EXTENDING OVER THE INNER PERIPHERY OF SAID SCALE RING, A RING DETACHABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT PLATE AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID SCALE RING, SUPPORT MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID DISC AND SAID SCALE DISC WITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE PLATE, SAID LAYER OF FELT AND SAID FIRST SCALE RING. AND REGISTERING INDICIA MARKS ON THE PERIPHERIES OF SAID SCALE RING AND SAID SCALE DISC. 